venal

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Network, from 1976, cast him as a venal television producer.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

Frank Capra, the multiple Academy Award winner whose everyman heroes symbolized the American spirit triumphing over mercenary or venal big business and big government, died Tuesday at his desert retirement home.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

Delegates to the Constitutional Convention were desperate to protect their young nation against venal officeholders, discussing fears of corruption so frequently that James Madison made a special note of their preoccupation with the subject.

From Slate • May 12, 2025

We shouldn’t discount the venal draw of a show like this, which is that plenty of Gibson’s followers probably still believe in her, although they might not admit it openly.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2025

There was something venal about his thin-lipped face; he had the air of a man to whom corruption was familiar.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie